Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with out a journey to the supplier or perhaps a check drive.
The retail big announced on Tuesday that buyers may purchase their subsequent automobile by Amazon in the event that they lived in one in every of 48 main U.S. cities, together with Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Portland by “Amazon Autos” on Amazon.com.
Amazon is partnering with Hyundai first, with plans so as to add further producers and cities within the coming 12 months, the corporate stated. The vehicles are all new and begin at $22,500 in value. They embrace fashions just like the Hyundai Kona, Sonata Hybrid, and Elantra.
Associated: You Could Buy Your Next Car on Amazon, Seriously — But There’s a Not-So-Convenient Catch
In turning to on-line automobile gross sales, Amazon joins a market already occupied by other online car retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally function used vehicles on the market; in the intervening time Amazon solely gives new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed below are the professionals and cons that emerged once I tried out the brand new function.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that buyers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disenchanted. Clicking right into a automobile, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be capable of see an in depth value breakdown, right down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the supplier charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing by Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally capable of estimate the month-to-month cost based mostly on the down cost and mortgage time period.
The product web page additionally transparently outlined the situation of the automobile, how a lot mileage it had on it, and the phrases of the producer’s guarantee.
Associated: I Tested the ‘Invest As You Shop’ App to See If It Really Makes Investing Less Intimidating
Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is barely promoting Hyundai autos, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con may quickly disappear: Amazon says it would add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can also be restricted in value, with the most affordable automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and supplier costs. There aren’t any used vehicles obtainable on the market on the time of writing.
Associated: I Tried Making an AI-Hosted Podcast with Google’s NotebookLM. It Worked Surprisingly Well.
Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automobile by Amazon Autos felt like procuring on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like value, mannequin 12 months, and trim shade on the left-hand facet, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by value within the heart.
Although the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos seems to be.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it exhibits clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I can purchase a automobile and full my total order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the value and attempting to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less aggravating to have the entire course of on-line, additionally it is much less private. And I am unable to assist questioning if I am getting the most effective deal on-line or if I might be higher off entering into individual.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
Associated: I Tried 3 AI Headshot Generators and There Was a Clear Winner
